Assemblywoman Viviana Veloz asserts that Mario Godoy can still be censured and removed from office despite his resignation from the presidency of the Council of the Judiciary.
Viviana Veloz, an assemblywoman aligned with the correísmo movement, declared on Monday, February 18, 2026, that despite Mario Godoy's resignation from the presidency of Ecuador's Council of the Judiciary, there remains grounds to censure and remove him in the ongoing political trial against him. She emphasized that Godoy's resignation needs to be acknowledged and accepted by the body that nominated and appointed him, specifically, the National Court of Justice and the Citizen Participation and Social Control Council.
Veloz noted that as of now, the Legislature has not received any notification regarding the acceptance of Godoy's resignation, indicating that the political trial against him must proceed. According to the Organic Law of the Legislative Function, if a public official is no longer in their position, only censure can be applied, resulting in a two-year prohibition from holding public office. This legal framework could lead to significant political repercussions depending on the outcome of the trial.
The political judgment process has already commenced, and Veloz initiated her presentation before the assembly just moments before her statements. She is allocated one hour to speak, after which her colleague from the RC party, Franklin Samaniego, will also deliver a one-hour discourse, emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of the situation for the judiciary and the political landscape in Ecuador.
